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September 8, 2021
Dear Colleagues,
POMA continues to monitor the rapidly changing information surrounding the spread of COVID-19.
In an effort to provide accurate and helpful information to POMA members, we have gathered some of the resources we are finding to be most useful and accurate at this time. We hope this helps you in staying on top of the latest developments in the spread of the disease and in helping your patients.
Stay safe and healthy!
New Headlines
Pennsylvania Continues to See Rise in COVID-19 Cases
The Pennsylvania Department of Health continues to report increases in positive cases of COVID-19, as well as an increase in hospitalizations. As of September 8, there were 4,391 additional positive cases and 2,010 individuals hospitalized with 496 in the intensive care unit. The statewide percent positivity for the week of August 27 - September 2 is 8.2%.
Wolf Administration Requires Masking in Schools, Early Learning and Child Care Settings
On Tuesday, August 31, Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam issued an order requiring face masks to be worn inside K-12 school buildings, early learning programs and child care providers. The order does not apply to school sports or outdoor activities. The order took effect on Tuesday, September 7.
The Governor and the Legislature are at odds with each other over the school mask mandate. We will report any changes as they come available.
Read the full press release here.
COVID-19 Booster Shots to Roll Out Starting Late September
The FDA's Vaccine and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee will meet on September 17, 2021 to discuss administration of a third dose of the Comirnaty vaccine in individuals 16 years of age and older. The data was submitted by Pfizer-BioNTech.
Last month, top U.S. health officials announced a plan to prepare to offer COVID-19 booster shots to Americans starting Sept. 20. This new round of shots will be available to those who received the two-dose vaccine from either Pfizer or Moderna and can be taken eight months after an individual's second dose.
Moderna submitted its data to the FDA for evaluation of a booster dose on September 1. A public meeting of the FDA's vaccine committee has not yet been scheduled.
Pennsylvania's COVID-19 Vaccine Update
Pennsylvania is currently administering the Comirnaty (Pfizer) vaccine, the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination numbers for Pennsylvania do not include Philadelphia, which is its own jurisdiction, or federal facilities, which are working directly with the federal government.
According to the PA Department of Health, as of September 7th, 12,332,239 total doses have been administered, including 44,842 additional doses authorized for people who are immunocompromised. There are 6,011,061 fully vaccinated people with a seven-day moving average of more than 17,000 people per day receiving vaccinations.
According to the CDC, as of September 4th, 66.4% of Pennsylvanians age 18 and older are fully vaccinated and Pennsylvania ranks 5th among all states for total doses administered.
Become a COVID-19 Vaccine Provider
POMA is working with the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) to spread the word that YOU can become a COVID-19 vaccine provider!
This summer, Pennsylvania's Acting Physician General Denise Johnson, MD spoke about the DOH's current vaccine objective, pivoting from larger/mass vaccination sites to community physician practices. Enroll as a provider and administer the vaccine in your office - click here to access the enrollment form.
Read the full message from Dr. Johnson regarding this important initiative and how you can keep your community healthy.
PA Health Alert Network (PA HAN) - Health Alerts, Advisories and Updates
Previously Published but Relevant Headlines
CDC Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People
On Wednesday, July 27, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new recommendations for fully vaccinated people given new evidence on the Delta variant.
The CDC now recommends for fully vaccinated people to:
- Wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission.
- Wear a mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease or not fully vaccinated.
- Be tested 3-5 days after a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19, and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until a negative test result is obtained.
The CDC also recommends universal indoor masking for all teachers, staff, students and visitors to schools, regardless of vaccination status.
Updated Pennsylvania Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Cases, Graphics, Resources
Briefings and Updates from Pa. Governor Wolf and the Department of Health
Resources from the CDC
The CDC has provided guidance and resources for healthcare providers, healthcare facilities, laboratories, as well as information for schools and childcare, businesses and employers, community and faith-based organizations, and the general public. Visit the CDC COVID-19 webpage for more information.
POMA will continue monitoring COVID-19 and provide updates and recommendations from PA-DOH, the CDC, the WHO and local health agencies. POMA's COVID-19 webpage and social media channels will be updated as information is shared from these organizations.
If you have any comments or questions for POMA, please email us at [email protected].
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